Reunited, and it Feels So GOOD!

Reunited with my short hair, that is.

Don't get me wrong, there is something to be said for having long hair and I was kind of enjoying it - it looks full and luxurious when it's actually styled, it feels good brushing against the back of your arms and shoulders, and bad hair days are easily disguised with bobby pins & ponytail elastics. But when bobby pins & ponytail elastics became the daily norm, I knew it was time for a change.

It took a bit of courage to cut all that length off, but once it was done, I felt so refreshed!

And there is something to be said for short hair too - it looks cute with just a quick blow-dry, it feels good to have a breeze on your neck, and its so dang healthy! (Plus my husband just loves it.)

My attempt at being sassy.

I'm still wanting it a little blonder, but highlights seemed like the most sensible solution for now. All in due time... Aaaaaaaaahh.

Nevermind!

The Fall-ish weather did not last. It was like a cruel joke! Two days after I posted, we reached 98 degrees here. And today, it's supposed to be 110. We are mostly trying to stay indoors and run up our electric bill with non-stop air conditioning.

Not cool, Mother Nature! Not cool.

4th Year

I can't believe a year has passed since our last anniversary! It feels like I wrote that blog entry yesterday. Not much has changed as far as how I feel about the man I married. Only now we have that little bambino on the way to sweeten the deal even more.

For my present, he got my rings polished again. I'm always shocked how pretty and shiny they are. I will look forward to that blingy cleaning every year now! He took me out for a delicious dinner at McCormick & Schmicks and after stuffing ourselves silly, we actually got really tired and went to bed early. It was nice.

My gift to him was that I finally officially took his last name. I tried making it a surprise, but when my new Social Security card came in the mail, he was the first to grab it. A little anti-climactic that he opened it in the elevator on the way up to the condo, but it still feels more like we are a family unit now. (And one day I'll get used to saying and writing my new name! Hasn't quite caught on yet...)

Some silly pics from our honeymoon

So another year and another celebration down. It will be interesting to see what this next year holds for us, especially with the big changes going on in our lives. I can't wait to test the waters and experience all these new adventures with him.

First Signs of Fall

In California, there are no seasons. We have sunshine year round. While sometimes this is a good thing, other times I miss those transitions where you can kind of feel the air change into the next season.

Well, this morning we had our first sign of Fall (other than Halloween decorations showing up in the stores). It was foggy. Sure, it will still be 80 degrees by the end of the day - not exactly sweater weather - but it was nice to wake up to a darker bedroom and gloomy skies. And its amazing what a little cool weather can make you think of:

*Thanksgiving
*High School Football Games
*Boots & Sweaters
*Halloween
*Disneyland
*Halloween Time at Disneyland
*I need new slippers
*Mammoth Cabin Trip
*Haunted Houses
*Scarves & Hats

*Apple Picking

*Hay Rides

*Bundling up on cool nights

Those are all the things I thought of while laying in bed this morning and it got me pretty excited. Granted, some of these I never get around to doing, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't like to. Keeping my fingers crossed for more Fall-ish days!

Intimate Apparel?

So you know when you are like 13 years old and you go bra shopping for the first time and you see those hideous, giant, silky, "full-coverage" bras with straps so thick that it looks more like a parachute than lingerie hanging on the rack and you think to yourself "I hope to high heaven I never have to wear one of those"?

I am now the owner of one.

Even 18 years later, it still scared me to think I might need one. Seeing it hang there in all it's saggy glory made me cringe - not cute in any way, shape, or form. BUT it's not as bad as I thought it would be. As my body takes on these new shapes and forms, comfort is quickly becoming my top priority. And it is comfortable, so I'll take it.

The next step will be to conquer my fear of nursing bras - a whole other story.

Although, she looks pretty excited about it. How bad can it be?

Nyquil, On the Rocks Please!

Wow, having a cold really, really sucks when you are pregnant. I know millions of other women have been through this, but I never realized what a wuss I am without some pill poppin' to relieve the symptoms. I would wake up every morning thinking I was going to die. Or at the very least never feel normal again.

Over a COLD.

But 10 days later, I am starting to feel like my old self. Still congested and my ears are plugged beyond belief, but I'm going to survive!

I'm sure you are all very relieved.

FAQ

It seems like everyone asks the same questions, so here I will take a moment to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about my pregnancy!

1. How far along are you?

22 weeks and 5 days

2. When are you due?

January 1st, 2011

3. Have you felt the baby kick yet?

Yes! The first time was during week 20 and now it's become much more frequent.

4. Do you have any cravings?

Junk food (chips/sour candy) and potatoes. Nothing too weird yet.

5. Has nesting started?

Not even a little bit. I was hoping in month 5 I would be feeling much more energetic, but I am super lazy.

6. How do you feel?

Besides being tired a lot, I'm good. Emotionally we are both nervous and excited, of course.

7. Do you know what you're having?

We are going to be surprised. We both think it's a boy, but secretly wishing for a girl. We'll see!

8. What names have you picked out?

Names are so tough! Well, for a boy, it would be easy because we want to keep it in the family - so some version of Stephen Paul (I like Stefan Paul). For a girl, I like Grace, Annika, Hannah and Winnie. (I know Winnie might do irreversible damage, but come on. It's so flippin' cute.)